"Melechesh have released a massive, rib-splitting brick of Metal with "Emissaries." Excellent guitar riffs and powerful and precise drumming. I've owned this for about 3 weeks, and have listened multiple times. Not, and I mean not one bad song here. This is an onslaught of bone-jarring Metal from the opening note. The only reprieve is the song, "Scribes of Kur". A beautiful, atmospheric middle-eastern melody with fantastic use of hand drums and other foreign instruments. On this song, my mind's eye takes me to a street in Israel or Palestine. Where there are vendors selling their wares and smoking hashish. Where beautiful veiled women congragate and float around. This music is called "blackened thrash" I guess so, but I don't get caught up in genre labeling. It's well worth your time and money. Top-of the- line Metal musicianship and class production. Get this, I assure you will not be disappointed. Peace."
Five stars period
Joshua Craig | Mt. Crawford, VA USA | 04/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Melechesh play blackened thrash metal. Emissiaries should be a mandatory purchase for any one who considers themselves a true metalhead. The songs are deep and layered. And has everything that is great about metal. Although the harsh vocals may turn some people off, this a extreme metal release. The musicianship on all fronts is amazing and always captivating. Never sounding stale are repetitive. Return of the nemesis starts the cd off. And displays their ability to write deep,complex, and captivating songs briallintly. Starting out of the gates blazing then going through many stages throughout the song all the while remaining engaging and capitivating throughout no small feat considering the song is over six minutes long, a mini epic. The rests of the songs have many twist and turns too and are just as brilliant. My favorites are return of the nemesis,deluge of delusional dreams,ladders to sumeria,double helixed sceptre, and leper jerusalem. simply put emissiaries is a modern metal classic and should not be overlooked by any self-respecting metalhead. A rare effort that while staying true to the metal underground and its conviction is so exceptional it should be able to be enjoyed and appreciated by any one who is a metalhead with a open mind."
Beautiful and blazing!
C. Pedersen | Lake Mary, FL United States | 01/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think "blackened thrash" is a good fast way to describe it. The riffs and vocals are a mix between black and thrash metal, but this CD does go much deeper than that. They have a great atmospheric quality to it that really makes this an interesting listen. Great production for this style and nice use of other instruments.
The cd is a scorcher that starts with the best song...you'll know if you'll like this cd (and you will) as soon as you hear the first song. Hopefully this CD gets the attention it deserves - it's definitely a 5 and will be one my favorites of 2007."
This Album Is So Good, It's Important
Joseph Fletcher | North Carolina, USA | 05/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album will chew you up and spit you out. I've been listening to this CD for months now and it's still fresh. There isn't really anything else like it. Imagine what it would sound like if a couple of Middle Eastern guys invented black metal - not to say that all the guys in this band hail from that region, but you get the point.
What really makes this CD stand out to me (other than the almost exclusive use of Eastern scales and cord patterns) is that Melechesh refuse to do anything cliche on this release - with the rather pleasant exception of The Scribes of Kur, which after listening to Rebirth of the Nemesis any metal enthusiast could have predicted. Other than that, it's bold, yet never self-indulgent, and straight forward.
Honestly, if you're into any kind of extreme metal, you have to listen to this. For me, Melechesh is at the top of the black metal field right now. If you can make it through Rebirth of the Nemesis or Leper Jerusalem without want to set something on fire, then you shouldn't bother with any quality music. Go back to listening to Underoath or Metalica."